Backlight module and a display device utilizing the same

ABSTRACT

A backlight module. The backlight module comprises first to fourth fixed seats, first and second conductive devices, and lamps. The first and second fixed seats have grooves. The first and second conductive devices have V-shaped scallops electrically connected with one another. Each V-shaped scallop is disposed in a corresponding groove. The lamps are disposed parallel to one another, each having a first and second ends respectively disposed in the grooves of the third and fourth fixed seats, for fixing the lamps. Depth and area of each V-shaped scallop both exceed a diameter of the lamp. A liquid crystal display device utilizing the backlight module is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/783,926, filed Feb. 20, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,301.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a backlight module, and moreparticularly to a backlight module applied in a liquid crystal displaydevice.

2. Description of the Related Art

US publication number 2003/0086255 discloses a backlight module. Astructure of the backlight module is shown in FIG. 1, wherein backlightmodule 10 comprises lamps 11, 12, . . . , and 1 n and fixed seats 12 a,12 b, 12 c, and 12 d. The backlight module 10 utilizes the fixed seats12 a, 12 b, 12 c, and 12 d to fix the lamps 11, 12, . . . , and In. Thestructures of the fixed seats 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, and 12 d are the same.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the conventional backlight module. Becausethe structures of the fixed seats 12 a, 12 b, 12 c, and 12 d are thesame, only the fixed seat 12 c is described herein as an example. Thefixed seat 12 c has grooves 181, 182, 183, and 184 receiving the fixeddevices 161 c, 162 c, 163 c, and 164 c having semicircular grooves.Conductive device 14 c is disposed on the fixed devices 161 c, 162 c,163 c, and 164 c. The conductive device 14 c has semicircular scallopsfor fixing the lamps on the conductive device 14 c. Finally, the fixedseat 12 d covers the lamps.

While the conductive device 14 c must comprise semicircular scallopscorresponding to the shape of the lamps, the shaping of the scallops isdifficult to control during manufacture. When conductive device 14 c isimproperly shaped, backlight function suffers.

Fixed seat 12 d may not fully cover the lamps, due to the semicircularscallops being too shallow, such that only a part of each lamp iscontained in the semicircular scallop with the remainder extendingbeyond the port. This allows accidental contact with foreign objects, atwhich time the lamps can easily dislodge from the semicircular scallops.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a backlight module,providing complete containment of lamps, thus avoiding damage to thelamps.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a first fixed seat, a secondfixed seat, a first conductive device, a second conductive device, aplurality of lamps, a third fixed seat, and a fourth fixed seat. Thefirst fixed seat has a plurality of grooves. The second fixed seat alsohas a plurality of grooves. The first conductive device has a pluralityof V-shaped scallops electrically connected each disposed in the grooveof the first fixed seat. The second conductive device has a plurality ofV-shaped scallops electrically connected, each disposed in thecorresponding groove of the second fixed seat. The lamps are parallel toone another, each having a first end and a second end, wherein eachfirst end is disposed in the V-shaped scallop of the first conductivedevice and each second end is disposed in the V-shaped scallop of thesecond conductive device. The third fixed seat is disposed on the firstend for fixing the lamps. The fourth fixed seat is disposed on thesecond end for fixing the lamps. Depth and area of each V-shaped scallopboth exceed a diameter of the lamp. Therefore, the V-shaped scallopscompletely contain the lamps. When contacting external objects, thelamps are not dislodged form the first or the second fixed seat.

Based on the structure of the backlight module disclosed another objectof the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device.Manufacturing yield of the device is improved when compared with that ofconventional LCD devices. The liquid crystal display device of thepresent invention comprises a display panel and a backlight moduledisposed on the back thereof, supplying light to the display panel. Thebacklight module comprises a first fixed seat, a second fixed seat, afirst conductive device, a second conductive device, a plurality oflamps, a third fixed seat, and a fourth fixed seat. The first fixed seathas a plurality of grooves. The second fixed seat also has a pluralityof grooves. The first conductive device has a plurality of V-shapedscallops electrically connected each disposed in the correspondinggroove of the first fixed seat. The second conductive device has aplurality of V-shaped scallops electrically connected each disposed inthe corresponding groove of the second fixed seat. The lamps areparallel to one another, each having a first end and a second end,wherein each first end is disposed in the V-shaped scallop of the firstconductive device and each end is disposed in the V-shaped scallop ofthe second conductive device. The third fixed seat is disposed on thefirst end for fixing the lamps. The fourth fixed seat is disposed on thesecond end for fixing the lamps. Depth and area of each V-shaped scallopboth exceed a diameter of the lamp. Dimensions of the V-shaped scallopsare easily controlled during manufacture, thus increasing the yield ofthe backlight module and the liquid crystal display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reading thesubsequent detailed description and examples with reference made to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a structure of a conventional backlight module;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the conventional backlight module;

FIG. 3 shows a structure of a backlight module of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the fixed rack of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a section of the fixed rack of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 3 shows a structure of a backlight module of the present invention.The backlight module 30 comprises a left fixed rack 31 a, a right fixedrack 31 b, and lamps 401, 402, . . . , 40 n. The left fixed rack 31 afixes the left ends of the lamps 401, 402, . . . , 40 n. The right fixedrack 31 b fixes the right ends of the lamps 401, 402, . . . , 40 n. Theleft fixed rack 31 a has a lower fixed seat 32, fixed devices 361, 362,. . . , 36 n, a conductive device 34, and a lower fixed seat 38. Theright fixed rack 31 b has a lower fixed seat 33, fixed devices 371, 372,. . . , 37 n, a conductive device 35, and an upper fixed seat 39.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the fixed rack of the present invention.Because structures of the fixed rack 31 a and 31 b are the same, onlythe fixed rack 31 b is described herein as an example. The lower fixedseat 33 has grooves for seating the lamps. The number of grooves equalsthe number of lamps. FIG. 4 only shows four grooves 421, 422, 423, and424 for brevity.

Fixed devices 371, 372, 373, and 374 are disposed in the grooves 421,422, 423, and 424. The material of the fixed device 371, 372, 373, and374 is resilient to avoid direct contact between the lamps and the lowerfixed seat 33. The fixed device 371, 372, 373, and 374 can be omittedherein. Each fixed device 371, 372, 373, and 374 has a correspondingV-shaped internal scallop 381, 382, 383, and 384.

When the conductive device 35 is disposed on the fixed device 371, 372,373, and 374, each V-shaped scallop 351, 352, 353, and 354 conformsdirectly to each V-shaped internal side 381, 382, 383, and 384. One endof the lamps 401, 402, 403, and 404 is disposed in the V-shaped scallop351, 352, 353, and 354 of the conductive device 35. Because the V-shapedscallops 351, 352, 353, and 354 are electrically connected, the ends ofthe lamps 401, 402, 403, and 404 are also electrically connected withone another.

A conductive device 42 is disposed on the lamps 401, 402, 403, and 404,for increasing electrical connection with the lamps 401, 402, 403, and404. An isolation layer 40 is disposed on the conductive device 42 andthen the upper fixed seat 39 is disposed on the isolation layer 40. Theconductive device 42 can be omitted herein. If the conductive device 42is omitted, the isolation layer 40 is disposed on the lamps 401, 402,403, and 404. Finally, the upper fixed seat 39 is disposed on theisolation layer 40. The isolation layer 40 is soft, so as to avoiddirect contact of the lamps with the upper fixed seat 39.

FIG. 5 shows a section of the fixed rack of the present invention. Eachfixed device 371, 372, 373, and 374 has a V-shaped internal scallop andis disposed on the lower fixed seat 33. The conductive device 35 isdisposed on the fixed devices 371, 372, 373, and 374. Each V-shapedscallop of the conductive device 35 conforms directly to each V-shapedinternal side of the fixed device 371, 372, 373, and 374. Each lamp 401,402, 403, and 404 is disposed in each V-shaped scallop of the conductivedevice 35.

A conductive device 42 is disposed on the lamps 401, 402, 403, and 404for increasing electrical connection with the lamps 401, 402, 403, and404. The isolation layer 40 is disposed on the conductive device 42.Finally, the upper fixed seat 39 covers the conductive device 42. Tocompletely contain the lamps 401, 402, 403, and 404 in the V-shapedscallop of the conductive device 35, a depth L₁ and an opening W of theV-shaped scallop of the conductive device 35 must both exceed a diameterL₂ of the lamps 401, 402, 403, and 404.

The lamps 401, 402, 403, and 404 are fixed by the V-shaped scallop. Thisallows accidental contact with foreign objects, at which time the lamps401, 402, 403, and 404 will not dislodge from the V-shaped scallop.Shaping of the scallop is easily to control during manufacture, thusincreased the yield of the backlight module. Because the V-shapedscallops can completely contain the lamps 401, 402, 403, and 404, theupper fixed seat 39 and the conductive device 42 do not require anygroove, thus decreasing costs.

If the conductive device 42 is omitted, the electrical connection pointsof the lamps 401, 402, 403, and 404 are points A and B. If theconductive device 42 is not omitted, the electrical connection points ofthe lamps 401, 402, 403, and 404 are point A, B, and C. The backlightmodule of the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal display.The conductive device 42 and upper fixed seat 39 do not require grooves,thus avoiding errors during formation.

The dimension of the V-shaped scallops of the conductive device iseasily controlled during manufacture, increasing yield of the backlightmodule. As well, the conductive device with the V-shaped scallops andthe upper fixed seat does not cover the lamps, such that lamps disposedin the V-shaped scallops will not dislodge from the V-shaped scallopswhen contacting external objects. Finally, the upper fixed seat does notrequire grooves, thus decreasing the cost of manufacture.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms ofthe preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it isintended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (aswould be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope ofthe appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so asto encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

1. A backlight module, comprising: a first fixed seat having a pluralityof grooves; a second fixed seat having a plurality of grooves; a firstconductive device having a plurality of V-shaped scallops electricallyconnected each disposed in a corresponding groove of the first fixedseat; a second conductive device having a plurality of V-shaped scallopselectrically connected each disposed in a corresponding groove of thesecond fixed seat; a plurality of lamps, disposed parallel to oneanother, each having a first end and a second end, wherein each firstend is disposed in the corresponding V-shaped scallop of the firstconductive device and each second end is disposed in the correspondingV-shaped scallop of the second conductive device; a third fixed seatdisposed on the first end for fixing the lamps; and a fourth fixed seatdisposed on the second end for fixing the lamps; wherein the surfaces ofthe third and fourth fixed seats are flat so that the lamps are fixed bytriangle spaces formed by the V-shaped scallops and the flat surfaces ofthe third and fourth fixed seats.
 2. The backlight module as claimed inclaim 1, wherein depth and area of each V-shaped scallop both exceed adiameter of the lamp.
 3. The backlight module as claimed in claim 1,further comprises: a first isolation layer, disposed between the firstend of the lamp and the third fixed seat; and a second isolation layer,disposed between the second end of the lamp and the fourth fixed seat.4. The backlight module as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: athird conductive device, disposed between the first isolation layer andthe first end of the lamp; and a fourth conductive device, disposedbetween the second isolation layer and the second end of the lamp. 5.The backlight module as claimed in claim 1 further comprising aplurality of fixed devices, each having a V-shaped internal side anddisposed between the groove of the first fixed seat and the V-shapedscallops of the first conductive device and disposed between the groovesof the second fixed seat and the V-shaped scallops of the secondconductive device, wherein each of the V-shaped scallops of the firstand the second conductive devices conforms directly to each V-shapedinternal side of the fixed device.
 6. A liquid crystal display device,comprising at least: a display panel; and a backlight module, disposedat the rear of the display panel, supplying light to the display panel,comprising: a first fixed seat having a plurality of grooves; a secondfixed seat having a plurality of grooves; a first conductive devicehaving a plurality of V-shaped scallops electrically connected eachdisposed in a corresponding groove of the first fixed seat; a secondconductive device having a plurality of V-shaped scallops electricallyconnected each disposed in a corresponding groove of the second fixedseat; a plurality of lamps, disposed parallel to one another, eachhaving a first end and a second end, wherein each first end is disposedin the corresponding V-shaped scallop of the first conductive device andeach second end is disposed in the corresponding V-shaped scallop of thesecond conductive device; a third fixed seat disposed on the first endfor fixing the lamps; and a fourth fixed seat disposed on the second endfor fixing the lamps; wherein the surfaces of the third and fourth fixedseats are flat so that the lamps are fixed by triangle spaces formed bythe V-shaped scallops and the flat surfaces of the third and fourthfixed seats.
 7. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 6,wherein depth and area of each V-shaped scallop both exceed a diameterof the lamp.
 8. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 6,further comprising: a first isolation layer, disposed between the firstend of the lamp and the third fixed seat; and a second isolation layer,disposed between the second end of the lamp and the fourth fixed seat.9. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 8, furthercomprising: a third conductive device, disposed between the first end ofthe lamp and the first isolation layer; and a fourth conductive device,disposed between the second end of the lamp and the second isolationlayer.
 10. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 6,further comprising a plurality of fixed devices, each having a V-shapedinternal side and disposed between the groove of the first fixed seatand the V-shaped scallops of the first conductive device and between thegrooves of the second fixed seat and the V-shaped scallops of the secondconductive device, wherein each of the V-shaped scallops of the firstand the second conductive devices conforms directly to each V-shapedinternal side of the fixed device.